Sir Roderick Impey Murchison ( 1792-1871), developed the modern classification of the Palaeozoic period, through his research emphasising biostratigraphy; the deposition of strata indicated by fossils. In the course of his career he successively defined the Silurian, Devonian and Permian strata, which replaced Greywacke and Coal Measures in the scientific literature.
After serving with the army in the Peninsula War and a period of time pursuing his interest in hunting, the independently wealthy Murchison began attending lectures at the Royal Institution. In 1825 he joined the Geological Society of London. Shortly afterwards he read the society his first paper, on the geology of parts of Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey. In the following five years Murchison made field explorations to Scotland, France, and the Alps with either Adam Sedgwick or Charles Lyell. In 1831 he began a study of the Early Palaeozoic rocks in South Wales. These studies were the basis of his defining work The Silurian System, ( 1839) . Further geological research in south western England and the Rhineland, in collaboration with Adam Sedgwick, defined the Devonian System. Russian field expeditions, in conjunction with French colleagues, became the basis for the definition of the Permian System. These expeditions also resulted in his works The Geology of Russia in Europe, ( 1845) and The Ural Mountains, ( 1845) . Successive editions of his expanded treatise on the Silurian System, Siluria, ( 1854) (5th ed. 1872) were also prepared. Latterly he became interested in encouraging geographical exploration and colonialism.
Murchison was president of the Geological Society of London in both 1831-1832 and 1842-1843 and became long term president of the Royal Geographical Society in 1844. As one of the founders of the British Association he was elected president for 1846. He was knighted in 1846 and also awarded the Russian Order of St. Stanislaus of the 1st Class. Appointments as director general of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, and director of the Government School of Mines and the Museum of Economic Geology, London, followed in 1855. From 1863-1871 he was Patron of the Edinburgh Geological Society during which time he was raised to a Baronet. In 1871 he founded a Chair of Geology and Mineralogy at the University of Edinburgh.
Scope and Contents
This brown leather notebook contains notes by Charles Lyell on a variety of subjects, including geological observations from various pits in Britain, notes on the latest edition of Elements of Geology, and addresses of correspondents. The front and back cover are blank, index is located at the back of the notebook, p. 172. The following table of contents is Lyell's own words, copied from Lyell's own "Index", found at the beginning and...
Scope and Contents
The red leather notebook includes Charles Lyell's geological observations, sketches, some essays with queries, and a list of species names of the Geological Society Museum collection. There are many references to Charles Darwin. The index is on p. 140, inside back cover. The following table of contents is Lyell's own words, copied from Lyell's own "Index", found at the beginning and end of the notebook, transcribed from digital...
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This marbled paper and red leather notebook includes Charles Lyell's geological notes on Kinnordy and surrounding area, as well as other areas of Scotland, illustrated with a watercolor cross section on page 61. There are also 'to do' lists, notes on correspondence sent, meeting agendas and lists of persons to whom papers were sent, and notes on conversations with Agassiz. He makes more observations on glacial moraines, and lists of Faluns fossils. Notes are in pencil and ink and complete...
Scope and Contents
This green leather notebook contains diverse notes by Lyell, including lists, observations, sketches, and plans for future tours to Wales and North America. Notes are in pencil and ink. There is a sketch of a compass p. 21, and a list of books on American geology at the Geological Society of London on p. 101. The index is the last three pages of the notebook, both covers are unmarked. The following table of contents is Lyell's own words,...
Scope and Contents
This red notebook contains a record of Charles Lyell’s notes and travels from August 1854 to January 1855 whilst in Southern England after his return from Maderia. Lyell is in London, Liverpool, Mildenhall, Icklingham, and at Maidenhead on the way to Bowood. Key individuals in this notebook include Pedro Maffiote (geologist), Roderick Murchison (geologist), Edward Forbes (naturalist), Andrew Ramsay (geologist), Alcide d'Orbigny (naturalist), Georg Hartung (geologist), Charles Darwin...
Scope and Contents
Red leather bound notebook, dated July 30 1863 to April 1864 covering Lyell's research in Wales, including mountains - Moel Tryfan, Snowdon - quarries caves and beaches. Lists significant corrections necessary for 'Antiquity of Man'. Lyell's own index Index
July 30 1863 to April 1864
p. 1 Llanberis. Lakes of
- [Llanberis] Perched block
- Tarn near in [perched block]
p. 3 Absence of shells...
Scope and Contents
The papers Sir Archibald Geikie consist of:
personal, organisational and scientific correspondence
geological notebooks with field sketches and water-colours
reprints of his work
miscellaneous lecture notes
student's lecture notes
lecture notes and printed maps relating to a visit to Boston
proofs for...
Scope and Contents
Lyell’s 'Papers' provides a detailed description of several series of archival records, including his correspondence and other documents maintained by him and his team. Purposefully curated to record his work, achievements, and for historical significance, the archive retains Lyell's original organisation where possible, structuring the series accordingly. These papers should be viewed alongside Lyell's publications, notebooks, specimen collection, and offprints, which collectively represent...
Scope and Contents
1 Various documents on John Murchison, Col. Donald Murchison, the Glenshiel Affair, Gaelic songs, and monument to D.M. 2 Various documents re Tarradale, c.1810-1820. 3 Various documents re Tarradale, c.1812-1815. 4 Various documents re Tarradale, July 1815. 5 Various documents re Col. RM.McGregor's estate, 1831-1836. 6 Various documents re McGregor, Massie, etc., 1811-1850. 7 Small notebook labelled: 'Early memoranda of old war from...
